LAHORE – Punjab’s top court yesterday ruled in favour of a man, who has no arms, ordering the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to issue him an identity card by taking thumb impression of his foot.

Muhammad Nazak, a resident of Jalalpur, had moved the Lahore High Court against Nadra for depriving of his basic civil rights. The armless man told the court when he approached the authority for a CNIC and other documents, they refused to entertain him as he was unable to provide the mandatory thumb impression verification.

Without a CNIC, the man is unable to open a bank account or to get a SIM card, transfer a property or other matters of documentation.

Under the law, the petitioner pleaded, a CNIC could be issued to him by getting foot thumb impression.

After hearing the plea, the court decided in Nazak’s favour and ordered Nadra to issue him a national identity card, The Nation reported.

This is the first such case in Pakistan where Nadra will register an armless man by taking his foot thumb impression.

Hailed by many, the LHC decision provides hope to many other people like Muhammad Nazak awaiting CNIC registration.